ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers chairs meeting on upcoming Urea Plant at Namrup
A meeting was held under the chairmanship of Shri D.V. Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers regarding upcoming 12.7 lakh MMTPA capacity urea plant at Namrup. The meeting was attended by Shri Rameshwar Teli, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries, Shri Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance Minister of Assam, Shri Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister of Industries & Commerce of Assam, Shri R.K Chaturvedi, Secretary , Shri Dharam Pal, Additional Secretary , Shri Sushil Chandra Mishra, CMD , Shri S. Mudgerikar, CMD , Shri Asim Kumar Ghosh, CMD , Shri Nirlep Singh Rai, Director  and others.
Shri Gowda said that bringing development in North East region is priority of the present Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It is therefore imperative to expedite the process of setting up of a new state of art urea unit at Namrup in line with the vision of Prime Minister to attain self-sufficiency in urea production. The urea unit will be able not only to cater demands of local farmers for fertilisers, but surplus if any could also be exported to neighboring countries in South Asia. He impressed upon the CMDs of stakeholder PSUs to conclude their internal process regarding this project at the earliest.
Shri Biswas conveyed that Government of Assam is ready to extend all kind of support to the Namrup project, including financial support to best extent possible.
Shri Teli said that Namrup-IV unit is important for ensuring local development and creating job opportunities, and therefore the project needs to be expedited.
Shri Patowary informed that Government of Assam also extends incentives to new industries, which can also be availed by the upcoming project to improve its viability.
CMDs of stakeholder PSUs agreed to expedite their internal process on Namrup project.
Union Minister Shri Gowda thanked the participants/ stakeholders for their support for the project, and said that it is the intention of his Ministry to see that the work on the project gets started at the earliest time possible.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Health Ministry invites all for a stakeholders’consultation to contribute to National Digital Health Blueprint report
The Health Ministry is organising a stakeholder consultation under the chairpersonship of Secretary  on 06th August 2019 from 10:30 AM at the Speaker Hall, Constitution Club of India, Rafi Marg, Behind RBI Bank, Sansad Marg Area, New Delhi for seeking comments/suggestions on the National Digital Health Blueprint  report.
In order to fulfil the vision of National Health Policy 2017, the Committee constituted by the Health Ministry to create an implementation framework for the National Health Stack , has come up with the National Digital Health Blueprint after surveying the global best practices in adoption of digital technologies holistically. The report was placed in public domain on 15th July 2019 for public comments. The report can be accessed through the following link
https://mohfw.gov.in/newshighlights/national-digital-health-blueprint-report-public-comments.
Industry/stakeholders willing to contribute in the event are required to register at the venue before 10:00 A.M. at the above mentioned address.
Ministry of Finance
Search and seizure action by Income Tax Department in Karnataka
Income Tax Department commenced a Search & Seizure operation in the case of some Cooperative Banks, in the State of Karnataka, on 31.03.2023. These cooperative Banks have been found to be engaged in routing of funds of various business entities of their customers, in a manner, so as to abet them to evade their tax liabilities. A total of 16 premises were covered in the search action.
A large number of incriminating evidences in the form of hard copy documents and soft copy data have been found and seized during the search action. The seized evidences revealed that these Cooperative Banks were involved in rampantly discounting bearer cheques issued by various business entities, in the name of various fictitious non-existing entities. These business entities included contractors, real estate companies, etc. No KYC norms were followed while discounting such bearer cheques. The amounts after discounting were credited in the bank accounts of certain Cooperative Societies maintained with these Cooperative Banks. It was also detected that some Cooperative Societies subsequently withdrew funds in cash from their accounts and returned the cash to business entities. The purpose of such discounting of large number of cheques was to mask the real source of the cash withdrawal, and to enable the business entities to book bogus expenses. In this modus operandi, Cooperative Societies have been used as a conduit. Further, by using this modus operandi these business entities were also circumventing the provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, which limits the allowable business expenditure incurred other than by account payee cheque. Bogus expenditure booked in this way by these beneficiary business entities, could be to the tune of about Rs 1,000 crore.
During the search, it was also found that these Cooperative Banks allowed opening FDRs by using cash deposits without adequate due diligence, and subsequently sanctioned loan using the same as collateral. Evidence seized during the search revealed that unaccounted cash loans of over Rs 15 crore have been given to certain persons/customers.
It was also unearthed during the search action that the management of these Cooperative banks have indulged in generating unaccounted money through their real estate & other businesses. This unaccounted money, has been brought back in the books of account, by multiple layering, through these banks. Further, the bank funds were routed, without following due diligence, through various firms and entities owned by the management persons, for their personal use.
The search action has resulted in seizure of unaccounted cash of over Rs 3.3 crore and unaccounted gold jewellery worth over Rs 2 crore.
Further investigations are under progress.
Ministry of Finance
Mrs. Aruna Sethi appointed as the Chief Adviser  in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure
Mrs. Aruna Sethi, 1985 batch officer of Indian Cost Accounts Service  has been elevated to the position of Chief Adviser  in the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure w.e.f. 1st April, 2017. She is the first lady ICoAS officer who has reached this position. Earlier, she headed ICoAS from 1st February, 2016 onwards, being the senior most ICoAS officer.
ICoAS is one of the six Organized Accounting Services of the Government of India. Chief Adviser  is advising the Ministries and Government Undertakings on cost accounts matters and undertaking cost investigation on their behalf.
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Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Operational guidelines in respect of ‘License Fee’, ‘Platform Services’ and ‘Sharing of Infrastructure’ for DTH services in India.
In furtherance of the amended DTH Guidelines issued on 30th December, 2020; this Ministry has issued the operational guidelines for Direct To Home  services in India. These Guidelines provide the operational framework in respect to the payment of license fee, platform services  channels and sharing of infrastructure by DTH operators.
As regard to the payment of license fee by DTH Operators, the guidelines define the schedule for its quarterly payment.
In respect to platform service  channels, the Guidelines provide the definition for the ‘platform services’ and lays down the norms for the DTH operators in running the platform services which inter-alia includes that:
- The total number of permitted PS channels per operator is to be capped to 5% of the total channel carriage capacity.
- All PS to carry a caption as ‘Platform Services’ to distinguish them from the linear channels.
- The Content of the PS to be exclusive to the platform and is not to be shared directly or indirectly with any other Distribution Platform Operator.
- All PS channels to be placed together under genre ‘Platform Services’ in the Electronic Programme Guide  along with their Maximum Retail Price and option for activation / de-activation of PS as per the applicable orders / directions / regulation of TRAI.
In respect of the sharing of infrastructure by the DTH operator, the operational guidelines provide the framework in which the sharing may be regulated, lays down the procedures for accountability and compliance and defines individual responsibilities of the sharing parties.
These operational guidelines have come into effect from the date of the issue of the order i.e. 16th September, 2022.
Ministry of Finance
India Needs to be a net producer of Knowledge, says the Economic Survey
As India emerges as one of the world’s largest economics, it needs to gradually move from being a net consumer of knowledge to becoming a net producer.
This has been emphasized in the Economic Survey 2017-18 tabled in the Parliament today, by the Union Finance & Corporate Affairs, Shri Arun Jaitley.
Given the dizzying pace and expansion of scientific research and knowledge on the one hand and a generally higher importance given to careers in engineering, medicine, management and government jobs amongst India’s youth on the other, India needs to rekindle the excitement and purpose that would attract more young people to scientific enterprise. Doing so would lay the knowledge foundations to address some of India’s most pressing development challenging in addition to maintain a decent, open society. Investing in science is also fundamental to India’s security, the human security of its populations, the resilience needed to address the multiple uncertainties stemming from climate change and the national security challenges stemming from new emerging threats, ranging from cyber warfare to autonomous military systems such as drones.
Prime Minister's Office
PM congratulates Indian shuttler, P V Sindhu for winning the Swiss Open 2022
(The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated Indian shuttler, P V Sindhu for winning the Swiss Open 2022.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"Congratulations to @Pvsindhu1 on winning the Swiss Open 2022. Her accomplishments inspire the youth of India. Best wishes to her for her future endeavours."
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles loss of lives due to house collapse in Karnataka; approves ex-gratia from PMNRF for victims
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives due to a house collapse in Belagavi, Karnataka. The Prime Minister also approved an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund  for the victims.
The Prime Minister Office tweeted;
"The loss of lives due to a house collapse in Belagavi, Karnataka is saddening. My thoughts are with the bereaved kin in this hour of sadness. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be paid to the next of kin of the deceased: PM @narendramodi"
Ministry of Home Affairs
SMUGGLING OF ARMS AND NARCOTICS
Anti-national elements/smugglers are using drones for smuggling of Arms/Narcotics across India-Pakistan border in Punjab State. In last three years till 28th Feb 2023, 28 incidents of recovery of drones involved in smuggling of Arms/Narcotics have been detected. From these drones, 125.174 Kgs Heroin, 0.100 Kgs Opium, 9 mm Pistol-01 No., Pistol/Revolver-07 Nos, Magazines-14 Nos, Ammunition 132 Rds, Detonator- 06 Nos and other explosives 4.750 Kgs were recovered.
Steps taken by the Government in this regard include the following:-
- Effective domination of the borders being done by BSF by carrying out round the clock surveillance of the border, viz. patrolling, laying nakas, manning observation posts all along the International Border.
- Erection of Border Fence on the International Border.
- iii. Installation of Border Flood lights along Border Security Fence to light up the area during hours of darkness.
- Strengthening of intelligence network and coordination with other security agencies.
- Detailed vulnerability mapping has been carried out along Indo-Pak border including Punjab State to strengthen surveillance by deploying vehicles and additional special surveillance equipments. Integrated Surveillance technology equipped with CCTV/PTZ Cameras, IR sensors and infrared alarm with Command and Control system have also been installed at international border.
- Anti-drone systems have been deployed in border areas of Punjab to counter the drone threats. Further, an anti-rogue drone SOP has been formulated and circulated to field units and is being followed.
- Local police is immediately informed as soon any such drone movement is observed for search in interior areas. Depth Nakas are regularly laid in suspected dropping zones of drone.
- The general public in border areas have been sensitized and made aware of such UAV/Drone activities, their likely security implications and are encouraged to inform about any such activities in the rear areas to BSF as well as the local police.
- MHA has established Anti Rogue Drone Technology Committee  under supervision of DG BSF with mandate to evaluate the technology available to counter rogue drone and certify its effectiveness in dealing with rouge drones.
- BSF is in process of procurement of more anti-drone systems to be installed in Punjab on Indo-Pakistan border for which trials are going on.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nisith Pramanik in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.
Ministry of Law and Justice
DELIMITATION OF PARLIAMENTARY AND ASSEMBLY CONSTITUENCIES
The delimitation of Parliamentary and Assembly constituencies was done according to the procedure laid down in the Delimitation Act, 2002.
The Election Commission of India  has informed that in accordance with the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2002 , the Delimitation Commission received assistance in redrawing boundaries from State Election Commissioners, Chief Electoral Officers and Associate Members from the States concerned as well as with the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India and simultaneously suggestions were also taken from stakeholders.
The State Governments have no role in redesigning the borders of constituencies.
The seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes were reserved as per the Constitutional and Legal provisions i.e. articles 330 and 332 of the Constitution of India read with sections 9 and 9 of the Delimitation Act, 2002.
As informed by the ECI, under the provisions of the Delimitation Act, 2002, the then Delimitation Commission had conducted public sittings in all concerned States/Union territories to hear the suggestions/ objections received from the public/political parties/organisations or otherwise w.r.t. its draft proposals published in the Central and State Gazettes. Further, after consideration of all suggestions/objections as received w.r.t. draft proposals or in the public sittings, the Delimitation Commission published its final orders in the Central and State Gazettes for public information. The details information is already in public domain on the Commission’s website http://eci.gov.in under the head “Delimitation”.
As per existing law, the next delimitation exercise may be conducted after the first census to be taken after the year 2026.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Law & Justice, Shri Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Special Service and Features
Shri Piyush Goyal inaugurates Food Security Museum at Thanjavur, the birthplace of FCI
To celebrate and commemorate 75 years of progressive India and its glorious history as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Minister of Commerce & Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles, Shri Piyush Goyal on Monday virtually inaugurated Food Security Museum at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu along with a Photo Exhibition.
Interestingly, Thanjavur is the birthplace of Food Corporation of India as it was in this town of Tamil Nadu FCI was inaugurated 56 years ago on 14 January, 1965.
Shri Goyal congratulated all on the inauguration of Food Security Museum at Thanjavur, showcasing India’s agri evolution from dependency to self-sufficiency.
The Minister said that the Food Security Museum is the first museum in India to depict India’s food security story from a “ship to mouth” existence to becoming one of the largest food grain exporting nations. He said that the Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu will now be home to the Agricultural history of India.
He added that the National Museum on food Security at Thanjavur shall go along with in depicting the efforts of all stakeholders of Food Security maintenance. “I am sure all Indians and especially young Indians and children shall be benefited immensely by a visit to this museum,” he said.
The Museum is theme based and shares how food was collected from Mesolothic era to various methodologies of storage and challenges faced by the early man. The Museum also encompasses some key information about Food Corporation of India related to its history, Procurement, Storage and Preservation, Movement and Distribution.
A 3D movie on FCI will be shown in Virtual Reality and quizzes for children. A Life Size PDS Model is also replicated besides other significant attractions.
The Food Museum has been co-developed by FCI and Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museums, Bengaluru, at a cost of Rs 1.1 crore in 1860 sq.ft. area. It houses state-of-the-art exhibits including breakthrough technologies such as Projection Mapping, RFID, Touch Screen Kiosk, Proximity Sensors and Touch Sensors which will be of great interest to the school and college students as well as the general public.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
National Dope Testing Laboratory  regains the World Anti-Doping Agency  accreditation
The National Dope Testing Laboratory  has regained the World Anti-Doping Agency  accreditation. NDTL has been informed by WADA that its accreditation has been restored. With this, NDTL’s Anti-Doping testing and activities will be resumed with immediate effect.
This was announced by the Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Shri Anurag Thakur in a tweet today. Shri Thakur mentioned in his tweet that the restoration of accreditation is a boost to India’s efforts to achieve the highest global standards of excellence in sport.
The team of officers and staff at NDTL has also worked tirelessly to get the accreditation restored. NDTL’s WADA accreditation was suspended on 20 August 2019, based on non-compliances which were observed during on-site assessment of the Laboratory held in September 2018. WADA, on its part has been providing continuous guidance and support to make NDTL’s processes and methodologies fully compliant with the latest version of International Standard for Laboratories  and with the WADA Technical Documents, 2021.
Consequently, NDTL has made rapid strides, and now its facilities are fully geared to be at par with the peer-WADA accredited labs across the globe. In its continuous efforts to excel, NDTL has been collaborating with the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research  Guwahati and the CSIR-IIIM Jammu for research in Anti-Doping Science. NDTL has also been collaborating with other WADA accredited laboratories for strengthening its research activities and anti-doping efforts.
Government is also keen to establish and recognize more Dope Testing Laboratories in the country. Such laboratories will strengthen the capability for testing a greater number of samples. considering the sizable population and growing number of sportspersons in the country. These will also facilitate India to host mega sports events in the country.
The National Anti-Doping Bill 2021, introduced in the Parliament on 17 December 2021, is another step in India’s quest to become a sporting powerhouse.
Ministry of Law and Justice
SH. Rawat appointed New Election Commissioner
The President is pleased to appoint the senior-most Election Commissioner, Shri Om Prakash Rawat as the Chief Election Commissioner in the Election Commission. Shri Om Prakash Rawat will assume the charge of office of the Chief Election Commissioner with effect from the 23rd January, 2018 vice Shri Achal Kumar Joti consequent upon his demitting the Office of the Chief Election Commissioner on the 22nd January, 2018.
Further, the President is also pleased to appoint Shri Ashok Lavasa, IAS  as the Election Commissioner with effect from the date he assumes the office vice Shri Om Prakash Rawat, Election Commissioner appointed as Chief Election Commissioner with effect from 23rd January, 2018.
Prime Minister's Office
PM wishes the best to the team members of Women's cricket team for winning Silver Medal at CWG 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has congratulated the team members of Women's cricket team for winning Silver Medal at CWG 2022 in Birmingham.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Cricket and India are inseparable. Our Women's cricket team played excellent cricket through the CWG and they bring home the prestigious Silver medal. Being the first ever CWG medal in cricket, this one will always be special. Best wishes to all team members for a bright future."
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
SRFTI to organise 5th ISFFI
Kolkata, November 2, 2019
Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute  under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is going host the 5th International Science Film Festival of India from November 6 to 8 ,2019 at the four auditoriums of the institute in the city . Internationally acclaimed award winning Indian and foreign films on science, heath and environment will be screened during festival. Besides, two feature films ' Mission Mangal' and 'Parmanu: The story of Pokhran' will also be screened. This apart, there will be a special screening of films on first Indian scientific South Pole expedition 2019, followed by discussion with scientists. A day long symposium tillted ' Packaging of Science for Public Interest' along with panel discussion on various aspects of Cinema and Science Communication wilk be part of the ISFFI.
Eminent film- makers from India and abroad like Shri Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Shri R.Balki, Shri A.K.Bir, Shri Kaushik Ganguly, Mr Piere Oliver Francois, Shri Abhishek Sharma, Shri Partha Ghose, Smt Rama Marinov Cohen, Shri Bikash Sinha, Ms. Kornetzky Brigitte Ute, Mr. Andreas Van De Lar, Shri Kartik Sharma, Mr Chris Godwin, Mr Li- Yu-Fu , and Ms Lovita J R Morang .
The festival will be partnered with High Commission of Canada, Millennium Institute of Oceanography, Chile, Embassy of Denmark, Embassy of Israel, Science Foundation Ireland , Media Service Nepal, Embassy of Spain, Embassy of Sweden and different organisations from Switzerland, Germany, UK, USA and Taiwan. The SRFTI will screen 200 entries of films from different parts of the world including India .
The dignitaries who were present on the occasion included Dr.Debamitra Mitra, Director , SRFTI, Dr.Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar, Shri Nimish Kapoor , Scientist and Coordinator and Executor of National Science Film Festival and Competition and Shri Sougata Bhattacharya, Film Coordinator, SRFTI.
SSS/SS
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Special Service and Features
Seizure of Wildlife Species 3 nos. of Marmoset Monkeys, 8 nos of Sugar Glider and 3 nos of Tegu Lizard by Chennai Air Customs
Based on intelligence, one Indian national who arrived from Bangkok by Flight no. TG337 dated 14.12.2022 was intercepted by the Chennai Air Customs Officers. On examination of checked in baggage, the following wildlife species were found in live condition and seized under the Customs Act, 1962 read with Wildlife Protection act 1972:
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Sl.No.
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Name
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Quantity
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CITES Status
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1
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Marmoset Monkeys
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3 numbers
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CITES appendix II
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2
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Sugar Glider
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8 numbers
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Not listed under CITES
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3
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Tegu Lizard 
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3 numbers
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CITES appendix II
The wildlife species will deported to Thailand via flight no. TG-338 dated 15.12.2022. The passenger was arrested and later released on bail.
Further investigation is under progress, according to a press release issued by Dr.M.Mathew Jolly, Pr.Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport.
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